The importance of work on the lunge

I've been having several student's work on the lunge line, and I have noticed that they feel like it is only something for beginners. I find myself repeating the same things over and over and assuring them that work on the lunge is NOT a remedial riding class, but actually a useful tool to improve their position.
I work with another well trained rider, and between ourselves, we've decided to school each other on the lunge because it is so important to improving balance, position, seat, hand control, core stability, feel and softness .
Using the lunge helps by taking away the need to worry about control. I have many of my students ride with a grab strap either on the saddle or use a stirrup leather buckled around the horse's neck if the student is bareback. I have several exercises to target different areas:

1) Holding the hands in the position you would hold them if you were riding. This is terrific for those students who need to work on hand position and balancing themselves without using the reins. This forms a mental connection by telling the rider that they CAN ride without relying on using their horse's mouth to steady themselves.

2) Riding bareback. This is pretty self explanatory, it develops balance and moving with the horse and reminds the rider that they don't need to rely on the saddle for balance. It teaches self carriage for the rider.

3) Arm circles with the gaits of the horse. This helps tune the rider into the movement and footfalls of the horse which is super important for developing the ability to cue the horse at the right moment. It also helps develop core stability- the ability to maintain their posture while their upper body is in motion; this relates to the ability to steer over a jump, or use their hands independently from each other.

4) Lifting the legs away from the saddle. This develops the rider's balance from their core, and helps the student learn to stay with the motion of the horse. It is a fabulous exercise for building confidence and strengthening the abdominal muscles (who wouldn't love this!).

5) Riding in the 2 point either using mane or hands on helmet, in airplane mode, straight up, or on their hips. This develops the 2 point and creates a steady lower leg.

6) Jumping on a circle on the lunge. This develops the "eye" for distances, the balance and steadiness over jumps, and it is terrific for those that need to build confidence. One of my weakest areas is jumping ahead of the horse, and this is also terrific for keeping the rider steady and staying with the horse over the jump. It takes the student's fear of refusals and helps with the fear of falling because they feel the instructor's direct support.

7) Riding on the lunge without stirrups. This is the one that I will be working on with my riding partner. Riding without stirrups helps lengthen the leg, strengthen and quiet the leg and build balance. It is physically demanding, but one of the best exercises. Once the rider has built their position on the lunge and gotten a really good feel of their position, they can also ride off the lunge without stirrups.

The best part about the lunge is that it shows IMMEDIATE results. I can testify that all of the students that have ridden on the lunge show better riding skills right away and they feel like they have truely accomplished something!

Crystal